Ernest L Ruth E and Frances E Fentress
Ernest L Ruth E and Frances E Fentress is a private foundation, based in Dallas, TX. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $10.7M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 2 grants totaling $803K. Net investment income was $3.7M.
Ernest L Ruth E and Frances E Fentress at a glance
In short: Ernest L Ruth E and Frances E Fentress gave $803K across 2 grants in 2025 (avg $401K), mostly in Virginia. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $802,758
- +2.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 2
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $401,379
- +2.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $401,379
- Total assets
- $10,707,657
- +35.1% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Virginia (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Ernest L Ruth E and Frances E Fentress funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was The Union Mission ($401K). Together the top 2 received $803K.
Grant Size Distribution
10 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $250–500K range: 6 grants of 10 (60%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Ernest L Ruth E and Frances E Fentress gives
- Giving fell 31% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 107% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $417K (2020) to $1.2M (2022). In 2025 it made 2 grants totaling $803K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Union Mission Virginia Beach, VA | Unrestricted General | $401,379 |
| The Salvation Army Norfolk, VA | Unrestricted General | $401,379 |
Ready to take the next step with Ernest L Ruth E and Frances E Fentress?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $10,707,657 | $3,724,676 | $942,371 | $802,758 | 2 | $830,922 | $3,677,848 | $777,102 |
| 2024 | $7,925,722 | $820,707 | $873,209 | $786,656 | 2 | $812,492 | $778,979 | $751,147 |
| 2023 | $7,976,245 | $1,138,671 | $851,942 | $786,656 | 2 | $808,568 | $1,101,389 | $635,218 |
| 2022 | $7,690,444 | $647,285 | $1,236,138 | $1,170,970 | 2 | $1,192,422 | $610,877 | $631,899 |
| 2021 | $8,280,328 | $629,393 | $544,061 | $479,636 | 2 | $502,476 | $549,299 | $727,800 |
| 2020 | $8,195,235 | $354,644 | $510,322 | $417,098 | 2 | — | $317,847 | $594,106 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Ernest L Ruth E and Frances E Fentress reported a distributable amount of $777K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Ernest L Ruth E and Frances E Fentress's 2025 filing lists 2 officers; 1 of 2 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Bank Of America
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$57K (2021) → $70K (2025)
Charles F. Lester
Co-Trustee
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Bank Of America NA (2020) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $70K, to Bank of America (Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about Ernest L Ruth E and Frances E Fentress
How much does Ernest L Ruth E and Frances E Fentress give each year?
Ernest L Ruth E and Frances E Fentress gave $803K across 2 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $787K across 2 grants.
How large is Ernest L Ruth E and Frances E Fentress?
Ernest L Ruth E and Frances E Fentress reported $10.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $831K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $777K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
Where does Ernest L Ruth E and Frances E Fentress operate?
Ernest L Ruth E and Frances E Fentress has awarded grants in Virginia.
What is Ernest L Ruth E and Frances E Fentress's EIN?
Ernest L Ruth E and Frances E Fentress's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 93-6353662. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 30, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 19, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 2, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 16, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 2, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 7, 2026)
Live grants for the work Ernest L Ruth E and Frances E Fentress funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Ernest L Ruth E and Frances E Fentress's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Texas
Sentara Health
Virginia Beach, VA
Sentara Health funds health services and equitable health initiatives, including access to care, medical education, scholarships, skilled careers, and community programs. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,500 to $45.45 million, with a median award of $22,000, and most funding went to Virginia, with some support elsewhere. Sentara Health Plans accepts applications for qualifying community partnerships in its service area; applications are due by the first of each month.
Assets
$7.2B
Grants
325
Total Given
$63.8M
The Harris Trust
Norfolk, VA
Assets
$127K
Grants
23
Total Given
$22K
Shearwater Foundation Inc
Norfolk, VA
The foundation supports biodiversity conservation and environmental education, child welfare, education, underserved-population health care, social justice, and occasionally ecological research. Nearly all 2024 grant dollars went to Virginia organizations; grants ranged from $1,000 to $1.51 million, with a median of $10,000. It funds preselected organizations only and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$16.6M
Grants
27
Total Given
$4.7M
Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation
Richmond, VA
Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation funds eligible 501(c)(3) organizations working in health and human services, education, arts and culture, civic and community development, and the environment within its operating area. Its 2024 grants ranged from $100 to $1 million, with a median of $5,000; it accepts unsolicited requests during spring and fall cycles.
Assets
$2.3M
Grants
773
Total Given
$16.4M
The Mrs Bunny Foundation
Fort Myers, FL
Assets
$299K
Grants
8
Total Given
$41K
Adam R Scripps Foundation
Ft Mitchell, KY
The Adam R Scripps Foundation funds science and STEM education, housing, health, scholarships, and community and cultural projects, with grants across multiple states, especially Texas and California. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,000 to $2 million, with a median of $50,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$754.6M
Grants
281
Total Given
$35.5M
More similar funders
More Funders in Texas
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Ernest L Ruth E and Frances E Fentress's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Ernest L Ruth E and Frances E Fentress down — hundreds of funders to go?